BOYS: Norse, Scotties, Foothillers win

By Ramon Scott
Updated: January 12, 2020

2020 EAST COUNTY PREP BOYS BASKETBALL

EastCountySports.com staff report

EL CAJON – The Monte Vista Monarchs started hot with an 18-point first quarter and had the Valhalla Norsemen on their heels early in Saturday’s Grossmont Conference crossover tilt.

But that’s when Joe Avalos and the Norsemen got it in gear.

Avalos had a series of three-pointers to help propel Valhalla (7-11) into the lead and into the clear, as the Norsemen defeated the Monarchs, 73-58.

Monte Vista led 18-12 when Avalos hit a three.

Later, senior Faris Hanna hit a three to make it 29-25 in favor of the Norsemen

Then, an Avalos three made it 36-29, as Valhalla started to control the action.

Avalos hit another from deep to extend the lead to 39-25 and a few moments later, Avalos hit from downtown again to make it 45-33.

Josue Amaya scored on a breakaway to make the score 70-54 in the fourth quarter.

The rebounds were even and the teams combined for 26 steals.

Valhalla shot 53 percent to MV’s 34 percent, as Valhalla shot 35 percent from three and MV shot just 55 percent from the foul line.

“Valhalla played well,” Monte Vista head coach Mike Tully said. “We need to continue to improve if we are going to compete in the (Grossmont Valley) League.

Calvert Esho had two steals for Valhalla in the first quarter.

Aldon Elliason had a steal in the first quarter, as well.

Amaya had a steal, then scored on a fast break scored to close the Monarch lead to 11-8 in the opening period.

Monte Vista steadily built its lead in the first quarter thanks to Ivan Maynard, who scored seven of his 18 points in the opening eight minutes.

Brandon Tully had a couple of threes in the first half and finished with 13 points for the game.

Maynard finished with seven rebounds, while Tully grabbed six boards.

Niamiah Alston had 11 points and five rebounds for Monte Vista (10-8).

HELIX 50, SERRA 48 – Helix, ranked 15th in the county, held off the Conquistadors in a wild fourth quarter after the teams’ offenses woke up in the Saturday contest at Serra.

Helix (13-6) scored 19 points in the final eight minutes but Serra scored 25 points to almost upset the Highlanders, who improved to 13-6.

Helix senior Maurice Holmes had a three-pointer early in the fourth quarter. He had three triples for the contest en route to 17 points.

Keishon Trice, of Helix, made 5-of-6 free throws in the fourth quarter and had another pair of buckets in the fourth. He finished with 16 points, including a three-pointer in the first quarter.

Travis Otis had 12 points for the Scotties.

Helix led 23-17 at halftime, then held Serra to just six points in the third quarter.

GROSSMONT 71, HIGH TECH SAN DIEGO 31 – The Foothillers won big against the Storm after heating up the Nets with a barrage of three-pointers early.

The Foothillers made four treys in the opening minutes to quickly take a 14-2 lead.

The Grossmont extended the lead to 22-4 with some traditional two-pointers.

In the second quarter’s opening minutes, Grossmont hit another pair of long ones and eventually led 36-17 at halftime.

The Hillers weren’t done dialing long distance, putting up two more threes early in the third for a 46-17 advantage.

Grossmont improved to 9-6 overall. The Foothillers host Helix next Friday at 7.

BISHOP’S 76, MOUNT MIGUEL 49 – The Matadors fell to 1-11 after falling at home to the Knights.

The Matadors will host El Capitan on Tuesday at 6.

EastCountySports.com